Eclipse| Harry Potter fanfiction

Chapter 17

Eloise

"Nothing is going as planned." Joanna said in defeat.

She was walking up and down, trying to figure out a way to solve our problems. Our problems were that Sirius failed to catch Peter Pettigrew and that Athena just came face-to-face with Sirius Black. I wonder what was going through her head. It was clear from her expression that she was afraid.

I tried running after her to explain that Sirius was not the villain here, but she'd vanished before I got to her.

"Why Sirius? Why can't things  go our way for once?" Joanna's voice cracked, and she dug her hands into her purple hair due to the immense frustration she felt.

I wanted to say or do something to help, but I only stood there dumbfounded. Thankfully, Sirius was there to help.

He pushed back any anger he felt, got up from the floor, and grabbed her hand, forcing her to stay still.

"Jo, look at me." He placed his finger on her chin and guided her eyes to meet his. "Breath, Jo, just breathe."

Joanna nodded, attempting to follow his instructions. Sirius gently places his hand on her back, guiding her through slow, deep breaths. They silently stayed in that position, the only sound being the rhythmic inhales and exhales.

"You're doing great, Jo. Just keep breathing." Sirius spoke with empathy, understanding the vulnerability of the moment.

Joanna's lips curled into a small smile as a tear dropped onto her cheeks when she heard Sirius' encouraging words. They embraced each other in a tight hug. I couldn't help but stare at them being affectionate towards each other.

The concept of love had always been foreign to me, like a language that I'd never been taught. My whole childhood,I read books and watched movies about love but never really saw it in the real world. I still held out hope that it was indeed real because life without it seemed bleak. Standing in the dimly lit hall, watching Joanna melt into Sirius' arm, I knew that love existed. That gave me hope that maybe one day I too could learn to speak the language of love.

After some time, I let out a fake cough, and they finally realised they weren't alone, and both turned red.

"'I'll convince Athena not to tell anyone. It might be hard, but you can trust me." I said I was determined to help fix things.

Joanna walked up to me, and she went in for a hug. I was taken aback, but my arms soon curled around her.

"You've long earned my trust, Eloise Hughes." She whispered in my ear.

***

The next day, I was woken up by the orange rays washing over my face. I still wanted to stay under my silk covers, but I knew I had to get up. Spending my nights plotting with Sirius and Joanna left me tired during the day, and there'd be some instances whereby I fell asleep in class.

I rubbed the tiredness out of my eyes, and then I sat up to find Hermione seated on the bed with several books surrounding her. I wondered if, in another universe, we'd be friends. She'd help me out with schoolwork; we'd share secrets with each other and laugh about them all day long. That is what friends did, right? The thing is, there is no other universe, so I had to make my peace with this one.

I dragged myself out of bed and shuffled to the bathroom for a hot shower. The hot water did just the trick, as my eyes were more wide open. I changed into my grey pants, long-sleeve white shirt, and red and yellow tie.

Afterwards, I went down to the common room, sat on the couch, and began to arrange my parchment, ink, and textbooks in my bag. Ron and Harry were on the other couch, but my attention was drawn to the rat nestled between Ron's thighs.

What if I  snatched it right now? That would be the quickest and best way to achieve Joanna and Sirius' goal. I must've been looking at the rat too long because Ron eyed me like I was loony.

"What are you looking at me for?" Ron scoffed.

"Er- "

"I swear to God that she's lost the plot. Harry, let's go off for breakfast." Ron got up with Harry, and they left me alone in the common room.

I didn't let what Ron said get to me this time. Just breathe, I told myself.

I then left the common room too for breakfast. I stopped on my tracks when I spotted Athena with her nose in a book while she walked to the great hall. Before any second thoughts, I caught up to her and called out her name. She turned in my direction and, thankfully, decided to stay to hear what I had to say. I tried searching her face for any signs of panic, but her features remained neutral. It was so bloody hard to read the girl.

"What fine weather we are having today." I mentally slapped myself for saying such a ridiculous line. I just didn't know how to ask someone not to tell anyone that a wanted criminal is living under everyone's nose.

"Please don't tell me you stopped me  to talk about the weather." Annoyance was evident in her voice.

"Um, no. Listen-Um about last night."

"What happened last night?" Athena asked with confusion.

"You know, when you saw—"

"Saw who?" Athena challenged.

"Sirius Black." I said it a bit too loudly due to frustration, but Athena continued giving me a quizzical look.

She was perfectly playing the role of someone who didn't encounter Sirius Black last night. I wasn't going to play her game. The only thing I could do right then was throw my dignity out the window and beg.

"Please, Athena, don't tell anyone. They are trying to capture an innocent man."

She slowly scanned me from head to toe before saying, "Pathetic girl."

She continued to the great hall with her nose back in her book and left me feeling defeated. I was about to go on about my day, but I noticed Harry staring at me. When our eyes locked, he walked up to me with his hands in his pocket. He was quiet for some time before asking, "What was that all about?"

He said it with such sincerity that I almost fell for it, but I realised it was a lie because Harry Potter hated me along with his friends.

"Nothing." I mumbled, and I took my leave of the Great Hall to have my breakfast alone.